President William Ruto on Saturday faulted the European Union (EU) and the United States over the seizure of Russian assets due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Speaking in Burgenstock, Switzerland during the Ukraine Peace Summit on Saturday, Ruto remarked that what most of the EU member states were doing was against the spirit of the United Nations.
Invoking India’s Mahatma Gandhi on the need to refrain from revenge, Ruto explained that the EU and US should not retaliate by capturing Russia’s investment in their jurisdictions.
“Just as Russia's invasion of Ukraine was unlawful and unacceptable, the unilateral appropriation of Russian assets is equally unlawful, unacceptable and a derogation from the UN Charter, especially for those of us who believe in freedom, justice, democracy," Ruto spoke of Kenya’s position on the matter.
According to the US Treasury, the country has frozen assets held by Russian citizens with an estimated worth of USD58 billion which included homes, yachts and private aircraft.
On the other hand, the value of Russian assets frozen in the EU is estimated to be worth 211 billion euros.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had requested the Summit where he sought international support to bring peace and stability to his country.
President William Ruto had been given the honour of joining world leaders in the Summit which adopted consultations in line with the UN charter.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who was in attendance, assured the world that the West was not at war with Russia.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei noted that Ruto’s central submission at the Peace Summit was that Russia’s military aggression on Ukraine was a flagrant violation of the UN charter.
Echoing Ruto’s sentiments, Sing’oei remarked that the conflict in Ukraine had far-reaching effects in Africa.
He cited that the conflict had disrupted the commodity supply chain which had impacted Africa more than other continents.
“But the seizure of Russian assets is equally a derogation from the principle of legality; and that conflicts in Africa have equally occasioned incalculable losses to life and property,” he agreed with the Head of State.
Going forward, Kenya’s foreign policy on the matter is a call for good faith negotiation involving both parties and a pause in positions to allow for dialogue.
